Tomato Festival Sees Record Crowd

Many many thanks to everyone who helped make this the most successful TomatoFest we have had yet at market!! Despite the heat and humidity we had record crowds (Jim Perley who monitors our trash and replenishes the bags said it was an “18 trash bag day”- which is a BOAT LOAD of customers!!)

Thank you to all the farms who entered the contests and provided the heirloom and hybrid varieties for the customers to taste! Everyone enjoyed the competition and the tomato sampling at the judges table.

Winners of the tomato Contests:

Best Tasting Heirloom

#1 Sturbridge Farm – Alex Jackson — Cherokee Chocolate

#2 Flying S Farm – Ben And Catherine Simmons — Chocolate Heirloom

#3 Beaverdam Creek Farm – Philip And Trish Lingo — Black Krim

Best Tasting Hybrid

#1 Delvin Farms – Hank And Cindy Delvin — Cherry Hybrid

#2 Colbert Farm — Tim Colbert –Cherry Hybrid

#3 Beaverdam Creek Farm – Philip And Trish Lingo — Genuine Hybrid

Ugliest Tomato

#1 Kirkview Farm – Carl And Teresa Thoni

#2 Beaverdam Creek Farm – Philip And Teresa Thoni

#3 Blooming Baskets – Rebecca Fly

Theresa Thoni with the award winning Ugliest Tomato.

A big thank you to our sponsor of tomatofest – Amerigo’se Paul Schramkowski and to Chef Steven Robilio for appearing on Talk of the Town this week to showcase his wonderful Panzanela Salad! The customers raved over his fabulous creation Saturday!

Thank you to our judges for the event who donated their time on a hot, summer Saturday to help judge the tight competition among our farmer vendors. Judged included:

Paul Schramkowski helps as judge and event sponsor. Yes, even Paul could not resist sneaking away and getting some of Danny’s famous Ellie’s Doughnuts.

Paul Schramkowski

Owner of Amerigo’s and Etch Restaurant. Amerigo’s is a sponsor of the Franklin Farmer’s Market

Ellie Westman Chin

President and CEO of the Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Senator Jack Johnson

Tennessee Senator for the 23rd district, which is composed of Williamson County.